Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have only held this portfolio for a short time, but my understanding is that the ICML brought forward a proposal to build a science centre. That centre has ended up being the subject of arbitration in 2013 and 2021, with a decision having been made in June 2022. That decision from the arbitrator was that the OPW had the legal obligation to build the national science centre. It went through planning and it was appealed to An Board Pleanála, with a final decision made by that agency in March 2024.

The arbitrator has to reconvene to bring back the parties to the case, which are the OPW and the Irish Children's Museum Company Limited, to determine what are the deadlines and the next steps forward. That arbitrator's decision was a legal decision, which stated that the OPW had a legal obligation to build a national science centre. The Government is yet to decide which Department will fund the building. In summary, based on the decision and ruling of the arbitrator in June 2022, the OPW has a legal obligation to construct the science centre. We are obviously working through the details of planning permission and an update of the total costs will then be determined. The OPW will continue to engage with other Departments regarding the execution of its obligations including the funding costs. The arbitrator has yet to convene a meeting between the parties, which are the Irish Children's Museum Company Limited and the OPW to decide the next steps forward.

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